Guaranteed Rate Field

Guaranteed Rate Field is a baseball stadium located on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It serves as the home stadium of the Chicago White Sox, one of the city's two Major League Baseball (MLB) teams, and is owned by the state of Illinois through the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority. Completed at a cost of US$137 million, the park opened as Comiskey Park on April 18, 1991, taking its name from the former ballpark at which the White Sox had played since 1910. In 2003, it was renamed U.S. Cellular Field after Chicago-based telecommunications company U.S. Cellular purchased the naming rights at US$68 million for 20 years.[8] The stadium's current name was announced on October 31, 2016, after the Chicago-based private residential mortgage company Guaranteed Rate purchased the naming rights in a 13-year deal.[9][10]

Guaranteed Rate Field
Sox Park
The Cell
The Rate
New Comiskey
The G Spot
Guaranteed Rate Field (then U.S. Cellular Field) in 2016
Guaranteed Rate Field
Location in Chicago
Guaranteed Rate Field
Location in Illinois
Guaranteed Rate Field
Location in the United States
Former namesComiskey Park (II) (1991–2003)
U.S. Cellular Field (2003–2016)
Address333 West 35th Street
LocationChicago, Illinois
Coordinates41°49′48″N 87°38′2″W
Public transitRed at Sox-35th
Green at 35th-Bronzeville-IIT
RI at 35th Street-Lou Jones
Parking8 main parking lots
OwnerIllinois Sports Facilities Authority[1]
OperatorIllinois Sports Facilities Authority[1]
Capacity40,615 (2004–present)
47,098 (2002–2003)
47,522 (2001)
44,321 (1991–2000)[2]
Record attendance47,754 (September 24, 2016; Chance the Rapper concert)
White Sox game: 46,246 (October 5, 1993; ALCS Game 1)
Post-renovations: 41,432 (October 23, 2005; World Series Game 2)
Field size(2001–present)
Left field – 330 ft (100 m)
Left-center – 375 ft (114 m) (not posted)
Center field – 400 ft (120 m)
Right-center – 375 ft (114 m) (not posted)
Right field – 335 ft (102 m)
Backstop – 60 ft (18 m)
Outfield wall height – 8 ft (2.4 m)
SurfaceKentucky Bluegrass
Scoreboard8,000 square foot Center field HD video board 60 feet (18 m) × 134 feet (41 m) (2016–present)
2,500 square foot auxiliary video boards in Right & Left Field (2016–present)
LED Ribbon Board, facade of the 500 level (2018–present)
Fan Deck Ribbon Board (2003–present)
Construction
Broke groundMay 7, 1989 (1989-05-07)
Built1989–1990
OpenedApril 18, 1991 (1991-04-18)
Renovated2001–2012, 2015–2019
Construction costUS$137 million[3]
($273 million in 2021 dollars[4])

US$118 million (2001–2007 renovations)
($154 million in 2021 dollars[4])
ArchitectHOK Sport
HKS, Inc. (2001–2007 renovations)
Project managerInternational Facilities Group, LLC[5]
Structural engineerThornton Tomasetti
Services engineerFlack + Kurtz[6]
General contractorGust K. Newberg Construction Company[7]
Tenants
Chicago White Sox (MLB) (1991–present)

Guaranteed Rate Field is situated just to the west of the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago's Armour Square neighborhood, adjacent to the more famous neighborhood of Bridgeport. The stadium was built directly across 35th Street from the original Comiskey Park, which was demolished to make room for a parking lot for the new venue. The location of Old Comiskey's home plate is represented by a marble plaque on the sidewalk next to Guaranteed Rate Field, with the foul lines painted in the parking lot. The spectator ramp across 35th Street is designed in such a way (partly curved, partly straight but angling east-northeast) that it echoes the contour of the old first-base grandstand.

History

View from the upper deck during construction, September 1990

The stadium was the first new major sporting facility built in Chicago since Chicago Stadium in 1929. It was also the last one built before the wave of new "retro-classic" ballparks in the 1990s and 2000s.

A few design features from the old Comiskey Park were retained. The front facade of the park features arched windows. The "exploding scoreboard" pays homage to the original, installed by Bill Veeck at the old park in 1960. The original field dimensions and seating configuration were very similar to those of Royals Stadium (now Kauffman Stadium) in Kansas City, which had been the last baseball-only park built in the majors, in 1973.

As originally built, the park was criticized by many fans because of the height of the upper deck. The original architect, HOK Sport (now Populous), wanted to eliminate the overhang problems present in many stadiums built since the 1970s. With this in mind, the upper deck was set back over the lower deck, and the stands rose fairly gradually. While it gave nearly every seat in the upper level an unobstructed view of the field, it also created one of the highest upper decks in baseball. The first row of seats in the upper deck of the new stadium is as far from the field as the highest row of seats in the upper deck at the old stadium. Due to the field being practically at street level, the original upper deck made the park look like a cookie-cutter stadium from the outside. Fans sitting in this area did not get much chance for relief, as it was one of the few parks in Major League Baseball that did not allow fans sitting in the upper deck to venture anywhere else in the park, such as the lower deck concourse.

New Comiskey Park on opening day, April 18, 1991

In response to fan complaints, the stadium has undergone numerous renovations since the 2001 season in order to retrofit the facility to current architectural trends. These changes have included building a multi-tiered concourse beyond center field, adjusting the fences to make the outfield less symmetrical, and most significantly, the removal of 6,600 seats at the top of the upper deck.

The uppermost tier of the park now has a white and black screen behind the top row of seats, and is topped by a flat canopy roof supported by black steel truss supports that obstruct the view of a few seats. The original blue seats were also replaced by forest green seats. The new green and black color scheme, upper level screen set back from the outer wall and canopy roof are reminiscent of the old Comiskey Park, as well as other classic baseball stadiums. Murals to the interior concourses were also added, a prominent feature of the old stadium.

The stadium houses 103 luxury suites located on two levels, as well as 1,822 "club seats" on 300-level mezzanine between the lower deck and upper deck. The club seats receive in-seat wait-staff, and benefit from an enclosed concourse with multiple television viewing areas and bar-style concessions. The stadium has 400 wheelchair-accessible seats, 38 public restrooms, 12 escalators, and 15 elevators. The new suites were one example of why the old Comiskey Park was demolished, as suites generate more revenue.

Attractions and features

  • Flickering LED Lights: The White Sox use the flickering LED Lights feature for whenever the team takes the field before the first pitch, hits a Home Run, or wins a game. They also used the feature for whenever their closer, Liam Hendriks, comes out of the bullpen.
  • Fan Deck: A panoramic view of the playing field on the two-tiered Fan Deck atop the center field concession stands. Fan Deck includes catered food and beverage service consisting of chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, potato chips, popcorn, beer, soda, and water. Fan deck can accommodate around 150 people.
  • Miller Lite Landing: A 326-seat section in right field that features running water fixtures on all four sides, individual seating, spaces for group parties and a standing room area where fans can interact near the outfield concourse. The first few rows of the section includes cushioned seats, device charging ports, television screens and more.
  • Craft Kave: A two-tiered, open-air section located in right field next to the visitor's bullpen with food and drinks.
  • Rain Rooms: A place where fans can cool off during hot game days. Near section 107 & 537.
  • Kids Zone: Located in left field. This 15,000-square-foot (1,400 m2) area is devoted to young White Sox fans, providing them with the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of baseball. It features a youth-sized whiffle ball diamond for coaching clinics, batting and pitching cages, batting "swing" boxes for proper batting techniques and areas for base running and skills instruction.
  • Speed Pitch Machines: Near section 155 and 522
  • Shower: A carry-over from old Comiskey Park where fans can cool off during hot gamedays. Near Section 160.
  • Scout Seats: Located directly behind home plate and contains 314 leather seats.
  • The Patio: Located just behind the right center field fence at field level. The patio serves for group outings such as the Craft Kave and can accommodate from 50 to 100 people.
  • Home Plate Club: Located behind home plate. Features include a restaurant buffet, open bar, open air seating in padded, extra-wide 22" seats, private restrooms, flat-screen televisions throughout the club and seating area, private elevator entrance behind home plate at Gate 4, early admittance into the ballpark for select games to watch White Sox batting practice from the outfield.
The site of the home plate of (Old) Comiskey Park in 2007
  • #SoxSocial Tap Room: The Tap Room is open to all guests with a game ticket until the last out of each game. The Tap Room is accessible by the stairs located outside Section 157.
  • Pizza Pub: Fans can enjoy delicious pizza straight out of the oven along with full bar options and a new seating area. Located near Section 163.
  • Xfinity Zone: Located outside Section 109. Fans can order food and beverages, watch sports on the big screen.
  • 47 Shop: Souvenirs, hats and apparel from years past to today. Near Section 101.
  • Home Plate Shop: The Home Plate Shop, offering a wide variety of White Sox merchandise, is open on game days only. Located behind home plate on the 100 Level.
  • New Era Cap Corner: Baseball caps of all colors, styles and sizes in a wide variety of team logos. Located on the lower level near Section 157.
  • Minnie Miñoso Sculpture: Located behind Section 164.
  • Carlton Fisk Sculpture: Located behind Section 164.
  • Charles Comiskey Sculpture: Located behind Section 100.
  • Luis Aparicio Sculpture: Located behind Section 100.
  • Nellie Fox Sculpture: Located behind Section 100.
  • Billy Pierce Sculpture: Located behind Section 164.
  • Harold Baines Sculpture: Located behind Section 105.
  • Frank Thomas Sculpture: Located behind Section 160.
  • Paul Konerko Sculpture: Located behind Section 160.
  • Jim Thome Plaque: Located on the center field fan deck. The description of the plaque reads "On June 4, 2008, Chicago White Sox slugger Jim Thome became the first player ever to hit a baseball onto the Fan Deck of U.S. Cellular Field as the Sox beat the Kansas City Royals. He duplicated the tape-measure feat on September 30, 2008 as the White Sox beat the Minnesota Twins, 1–0, in a one-game playoff to win the American League Central Division championship."
  • The Two Blue Seats: The seats where Paul Konerko's Grand Slam (left field in section 159) and Scott Podsednik's game-winning home run (right center first row in section 101) that landed in game two of the 2005 World Series are the same original blue seats in use at that game.
  • White Sox Champions Brick Plaza: Located at the main entrance to the park, (Gate 4). The plaza is dedicated to the 2005 World Series Champion White Sox and their fans. Each legacy brick is inscribed with a personalized message that has become part of a new baseball diamond-shaped plaza outside the main entrance to the ballpark. A life-sized white bronze and granite sculpture celebrating the 2005 White Sox World Series Championship that stands at the center of the plaza, with a historical timeline of the franchise along the diamond's base paths. The statue weighs over 25 tons.
  • Old Comiskey Park's home plate: Located just north of the park by Gate 5 in Lot B.
  • "ChiSox Bar and Grill": A multi-level restaurant and bar located inside of Gate 5. The establishment features both indoor and outdoor seating and a wide variety of food, drinks, and entertainment.
  • Chicago Sports Depot: A Chicago White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, Bulls, and Fire merchandise store located next to ChiSox Bar and Grill at Gate 5.

Renovations and additions

1996–99

  • 1996 – A bullpen bar was added in right field.
  • 1998 – The batter's eye was painted from blue to black.
  • 1999 – A new Bill Veeck-esque showerhead in left field and a "Rain Room" in right field for fans to cool off during hot summertime games.

2001–07

In 2001, extensive renovations were started by HKS Sports & Entertainment Group to make the park more fan-friendly:

Phase I (2001 season)

  • Three rows of nearly 2,000 seats were added along the field between the dugouts and the foul poles.
  • Bullpens were relocated to allow fans to see pitchers warming up; former bullpens filled with new seats.
  • Two-tiered terrace seating area added outside the Bullpen Sports Bar.
  • Distances to the outfield wall were changed, most noticeably down the foul lines, where the bullpens and the Bullpen Sports Bar are now located.
  • Outfield seating area extended to the fence.
  • A full-service restaurant dubbed the Stadium Club was introduced with windows overlooking the right field corner.
  • Capacity was increased from 44,321 to 45,936.

Phase II (2002 season)

Comiskey Park in 2002 with the new batter's eye
  • Old backstop with netted roof was replaced with a new "roofless" backstop which allows foul balls to drop into seats directly behind home plate.
  • Multi-tiered Batter's eye built in center field.
  • Main concourse upgraded with brick facade, stainless steel counter tops and decorative lighting.
  • Club-level concourse enclosed and carpeted with heating, air conditioning and comfortable seating areas throughout.
  • Party deck was added in center field, just below the scoreboard and above the batter's eye.

Phase III (2003 season)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2004 with the new roof and lighting
  • Scoreboard and video boards were upgraded.
  • Full-color, high resolution 28 × 53-foot (16 m) video screen added to center field scoreboard.
  • Two 300-foot (91 m)-long, 5-foot (1.5 m)-high video LED "ribbon" boards added along the upper deck facade.
  • Design upgrades consistent with the lower deck finished on outfield and upper deck concourses.
  • Fan Deck, featuring food and beverage service in an elevated patio-like atmosphere, built on center field concourse.
  • Outfield steel framework and underside of canopy roof painted dark gray; concrete in seating areas and on pedestrian ramps stained gray.
  • A life size bronze statue of Charles Comiskey was placed on the center field concourse behind section 100.
  • Capacity is increased from 45,936 to 47,098.
  • Phase III renovations cost approximately $20 million.

Phase IV (2004 season)

The translucent wall in the upper deck was added in 2004 to block the elements.
  • Upper Deck Seating Area – Eight rows and 6,600 seats were removed from the top of the ballpark's upper deck.
  • A flat roof, elevated 20 feet (6.1 m) above the seating area, has replaced the old sloped canopy-style roof, covering 13 of the 21 rows of seating.
  • Upper Deck Concourse was partially enclosed from the weather by a translucent wall.
  • Fan Deck in center field upgraded to feature tiered seating and standing room.
  • Lower Terrace balcony added to provide an additional party area and outdoor seating.
  • The outfield wall was redone with pictures of White Sox players who've had their number retired.
  • A life sized bronze statue of Minnie Miñoso placed on the center field concourse behind section 164.
  • Capacity is decreased from 47,098 to 40,615.
  • Phase IV renovations cost approximately $28 million.

Phase V (2005 season)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2005, with the new Fundamentals Deck in left field
  • 314-seat "Scout" seating area directly behind home plate added.
  • FUNdamentals Deck, an area for kids to work on various baseball skills, was added above the left field concourse.
  • Green seats, modeled after those in the original Comiskey Park, replaced the old blue seats in the Club level and some scattered areas around home plate. The bleachers in left-center field were painted green.
  • A bronze statue of Carlton Fisk was placed on the center field concourse behind section 164 on August 7.

Phase VI (2006 season)

  • Green seats reminiscent of those in the original Comiskey Park replaced the old blue seats in the entire Upper Deck and the Lower Deck between the dugouts.
  • Enclosed, ground level restaurant was completed, providing a lounge and dining area for the Scout Seats.
  • New banners were hung down on the outfield light towers. One for the 2005 World Series, one for the 1906 and 1917 World Series, one for all White Sox American League pennants, and one for all the division championships.
  • The flags for these titles, now on the banners, were replaced with flags of all the Sox logos in club history.
  • Bronze statues of Nellie Fox and Luis Aparicio were placed on the center field concourse behind section 100.

Phase VII (2007 season)

U.S. Cellular Field in 2007
  • Green seats replaced the old blue seats in the Lower Deck from the dugouts and the entire outfield seating area (including the left-center field bleachers which were previously renovated). The green seats between the dugout and the foul poles have been slightly turned, re-directing them toward the center of the field. (Visually Re-Directed Seats)
  • The seats where Paul Konerko's Grand Slam (left field) and Scott Podsednik's walk off home run (right center first row) landed in game two of the 2005 World Series are the same original blue seats in use at that game and stand out from the all-green seats.
  • The Scoreboard in right field was painted green.
  • A new premium seating/restaurant named the Jim Beam Club (known as the Home Plate Club as of 2014)[11] was added in the former press box behind home plate on the stadium's Diamond Suites 200 Level.
  • A new press box was added on the first base side on the Diamond Suites 400 Level. The facility features 32 flat-screen televisions, wireless internet access and seating for 100 working members of the media.
  • A new custom T-shirt shop was added.
  • A bronze statue of Billy Pierce was placed on the center field concourse behind section 164 on July 23.
  • A Thome Ticker counting down to Jim Thome's 500th career home run (hit on September 16 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim). The ticker was located in right field on the right advertising board, and was taken down after the 2007 season.
  • The beginning of the White Sox Champions brick plaza in front of the stadium (Gate 4) and Phase I of brick sales.

Extensive renovations (2008–present)

Renovations were added that were not part of the original plan:

2008 season

Champions Plaza
  • The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority unveiled the first environmentally friendly permeable paving parking lot to be used by a Major League sports facility on April 8. The new lot (Lot L) saves taxpayer money by substantially reducing the amount of water entering Chicago's stormwater system, improving overall water quality and help reduce the Urban heat island effect.
  • The White Sox Legacy Brick Program unveiled its brick plaza outside Gate 4 on April 11. Each Legacy Brick is inscribed with a personalized message and has become part of a new baseball diamond-shaped plaza outside the main entrance to the ballpark. A white, bronze and granite sculpture weighing over 25 tons that celebrates the 2005 White Sox World Series championship stands at the center of the plaza, with a historical timeline of the franchise along the diamond's base paths. Players on the sculpture from the 2005 team are Paul Konerko, Joe Crede, Orlando Hernández, Geoff Blum, and Juan Uribe.
  • Plasma flatscreen television sets were added throughout the outfield concourse and at the top of its beer concession stands.
  • A bronze statue of Harold Baines was placed on the right field concourse behind Section 105 on July 20.

2009 season

Out-of-town video board (2009-2015)
  • About $15 million in renovations were made to Gate 5 (north of 35th Street) to improve access to the park. The demolition (beginning of November 2008) of the easternmost portion of the pedestrian ramp and removal of the top two levels of the easternmost foot bridge across 35th Street, reducing it to one level with continuing access to the park on the main concourse level. The second foot bridge at Gate 5, about 75 yards (69 m) west of the east bridge, continues to offer access to the park on three levels. The project also included installation of escalators in a new, weather-protected enclosure and installation of elevators which provide additional access for fans with disabilities. The project was completed by opening day on April 7, when the White Sox defeated the Kansas City Royals 4–2.
  • Inside the park, a new scoreboard (23 ft x 68 ft) with 913,000 LED lights (similar to Tropicana Field) replaced the older out-of-town scoreboard in right field. In addition to displaying both lineups (that of the Sox and their opponents) the board showed season stats for the current batter and pitcher. It also served as an upgrade to the old "around-the-league" scoreboard that it replaced. While the old scoreboard showed only the current innings, scores, and pitchers' jersey numbers, the new board was capable of showing balls, strikes, outs, locations of any baserunners, and the current batter and pitcher by last name instead of by number. A slight disadvantage is that the new board only showed four games at a time in this manner, whereas the old board showed every game in progress simultaneously.
  • A small plaque honoring Jim Thome located on the center field fan deck for his 464-foot (141 m) home run shot that landed there, becoming the first player ever to do so on June 4, 2008. The White Sox defeated the Royals in that game. Thome duplicated this feat again on September 30, 2008, in a one-game playoff against AL Central rival Minnesota Twins. His home run proved to be the game winner in a 1–0 shutout to win the AL Central.
  • For White Sox players, a new hydrotherapy room with three combinational hot-and-cold whirlpool tubs. An underwater treadmill that can curb problems relating to the abdominals, back and knee and strengthens the muscles and hip, is installed in one of the tubs.
  • "The Catch" was written on the left-center field wall above Billy Pierce's image (now above a blank wall), at the location where DeWayne Wise made a catch to rob Gabe Kapler of a 9th-inning home run and ensure Mark Buehrle's perfect game on July 23, 2009.
Gate 5 entrance, restaurant & bar

2010–present

2010 season

  • A new outdoor Beer Garden named "TBD's" was installed by July 26 (when the White Sox hosted the Seattle Mariners) at Gate 5. The area served beer, wine, soda, and water, and also had 12 flat-screen TVs. TBD's was taken down and replaced by "ChiSox Bar and Grill" in 2011.[12] The restaurant was open at 11 AM on gamedays. Although it is technically outside the park and accessible with or without a game ticket, fans must be 21 or older to enter. Home Plate Club opens behind home plate
  • Frank Thomas' number and picture were added to the outfield wall as his number was retired.[13]

2011 season

  • A new Metra station (Jones/Bronzeville) on the Rock Island line (designed by Infrastructure Engineering, Inc.) worth $7.9 million was planned to be opened in 2009, but due to a year-long delay of construction, the station opened in 2011 after groundbreaking on June 29, 2009. The new station is located East of the ballpark just beyond the I-90/I-94 Dan Ryan Expressway.
  • A multi-level restaurant and bar inside Gate 5 called "ChiSox Bar and Grill" (formerly known as Bacardi at the Park). The establishment features both indoor and outdoor seating and a wide variety of food, drinks, and entertainment for Guaranteed Rate Field guests that started in April 2011. "ChiSox Bar and Grill" is open during the baseball season, but plans made the restaurant and bar a year-round establishment.[14][15]
2016 renovations with new HD scoreboards
  • A bronze statue of Frank Thomas was unveiled on July 31, against the Boston Red Sox. It is the eighth statue to be placed on the outfield concourse.

2012 season

  • Chicago Sports Depot, a new merchandise store, opened on November 19, 2011, right next to Gate 5 and ChiSox Bar and Grill.[16]

2014 season

  • A bronze statue of Paul Konerko was unveiled on September 27, against the Kansas City Royals. It is the ninth statue to be placed on the outfield concourse.

2016 season

  • Three new HD video boards were installed before the start of the 2016 season at a cost of $7.3 million.[3] The auxiliary boards in left and right field, and the main video board in center, were all replaced with new HD screens. The project was funded via the Sox' capital repairs budget.[17]

2018 season

  • The visitor's clubhouse was renovated to meet up to date technology.
  • A virtual reality home run derby batting cage was installed in the Chicago Sports Depot.
  • A 30-foot (9.1 m) high safety netting has been extended to the outfield end of both dugouts, or from section 122 to 142.
  • A new LED ribbon board was extended to run the entire length of the grandstand, meaning the retired numbers that resided behind home plate had to be moved to the first and third-base lines.[18]

2019 season

  • A 326-seat section dubbed "The Goose Island" (now known as the "Miller Lite Landing") replaced sections 106 and 107 in right field. The section includes running water fixtures on all four sides to create the "island" of beer and baseball. The section also features individual seating, spaces for group parties and a standing room area where fans can interact near the outfield concourse. The first few rows of the section will also provide a "modernized" game day experience with cushioned seats, device charging ports, television screens and more. The revamped section expanded the presence of Goose Island, which is owned by beverage conglomerate Anheuser-Busch InBev, inside the stadium. The previously known Craft Cave became the Goose Island Craft Cave. Formerly a 10 foot (3.0 m) Goose Island tap statue overlooked the stadium from the special section. The section opened by opening day on April 4.[19]
  • An extension of the safety netting from the dugouts to foul poles was completed during the 2019 season.[20]

2021 season

  • The White Sox added the flickering LED lights for whenever the team either comes out of their dugout before the first pitch, hits a home run, wins a game, or whenever their closer Liam Hendriks comes out of the bullpen.[21]

Retired numbers

There are 12 retired numbers on the facade of the 1st and 3rd base sides of the 300 level.

White Sox retired numbers[22]
No. Player Position White Sox years Date retired Notes
2 Nellie Fox 2B 1950–63 1976 Hall of Fame (1997)
3 Harold Baines RF, DH
Coach
1980–89, 96–97, 2000–01
2004–2015
1989-08-20 Baines' number was retired after he was traded to the Texas Rangers midway through 1989. The number was unretired for him in 1996 and 2000 when he returned as a player, and in 2004 as an assistant hitting coach.
Hall of Fame (2019)
4 Luke Appling SS 1930–50 1975 Hall of Fame (1964)
9 Minnie Miñoso LF 1951–57, 1960–61
1964, 1976, 1980
1983 "Mr. White Sox"
Hall of Fame (2022)
11 Luis Aparicio SS 1956–62
1968–70
1984-08-14 Hall of Fame (1984)
14 Paul Konerko 1B 1999–2014 2015-05-23 2005 World Series Champion and ALCS MVP
16 Ted Lyons P
Manager
1923–46
1946–48
1987 Hall of Fame (1955)
19 Billy Pierce P 1949–61 1987
35 Frank Thomas 1B, DH 1990–2005 2010-08-29 2005 World Series Champion
Hall of Fame (2014)
56 Mark Buehrle P 2000–2011 2017-06-24 2005 World Series Champion
Perfect game in 2009
72 Carlton Fisk C 1981–93 1997-09-14 Hall of Fame (2000)
42 Jackie Robinson 2B Brooklyn Dodgers, 1947–1956, Retired by Major League Baseball 1997-04-15 Hall of Fame (1962)
The White Sox taking on the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day 2014
The Chicago skyline overlooking the upper deck behind third base at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 30, 2017

Ballpark firsts

The view from the 500 level

Opening Day (April 18, 1991)

Statistic Details
Score Detroit Tigers 16, White Sox 0
Umpires Steve Palermo
Mike Reilly
Larry Young
Rich Garcia
Managers Jeff Torborg, White Sox
Sparky Anderson, Tigers
Starting Pitchers Jack McDowell, White Sox
Frank Tanana, Tigers
Ceremonial Pitch Former Illinois Governor Jim Thompson
Attendance 42,191
The view from the White Sox radio booth

Batting

Statistic Details
Batter Tony Phillips (fly out)
White Sox Batter Tim Raines
Hit Alan Trammell (single)
Run Travis Fryman
White Sox Run Ron Karkovice (April 20, 1991)
RBI Alan Trammell
White Sox RBI Dan Pasqua (April 20, 1991)
Single Alan Trammell
Double John Shelby
Triple Tony Phillips
Home run Cecil Fielder
White Sox Home run Frank Thomas (April 22, 1991)
Grand slam Kevin Romine (Boston Red Sox) (May 5, 1991)
IPHR Marc Newfield (Seattle Mariners) (June 21, 1995)
Stolen base Lou Whitaker
White Sox Stolen base Tim Raines
Sacrifice hit Joey Cora (White Sox) (April 20, 1991)
Sacrifice fly Matt Merullo (White Sox) (April 27, 1991)
Cycle Mike Blowers (Oakland Athletics) (May 18, 1998)
White Sox Cycle Chris Singleton (July 6, 1999)
The gate 5 entrance in 2007 before renovations took place for the 2009 season

Pitching

Statistic Details
Win Frank Tanana
White Sox win Brian Drahman (April 21, 1991)
Loss Jack McDowell
Visiting loss Paul Gibson (April 21, 1991)
shutout Frank Tanana
White Sox Shutout Jack McDowell (June 25, 1991)
Save Jerry Don Gleaton (Detroit Tigers) (April 20, 1991)
White Sox save Bobby Thigpen (April 22, 1991)
Hit by pitch Dave Johnson (Baltimore Orioles) hit Carlton Fisk (White Sox) (April 23, 1991)
Wild pitch Mélido Pérez (White Sox) (April 21, 1991)
Balk Bryan Harvey (California Angels) (May 28, 1991)
No-hitter Mark Buehrle (White Sox) (April 18, 2007)
Visiting no-hitter Francisco Liriano (Minnesota Twins) (May 3, 2011)
Perfect game Mark Buehrle (White Sox) (July 23, 2009)

Other firsts

Statistic Date/Details
Doubleheader October 3, 1991 vs. Minnesota Twins
Error Robin Ventura
Use as a neutral site September 13–14, 2004 – Florida Marlins vs. Montreal Expos. Counted as home games for the Marlins, these games were moved to Chicago due to Hurricane Ivan in Florida. The Marlins were already in Chicago at the time, having just played a series with the Chicago Cubs.
First White Sox Foul Ball hit April 18, 1991 by Sammy Sosa
First Postseason game October 5, 1993 vs. Toronto Blue Jays. Blue Jays won 7-3.

Transportation and entry gates

The upper deck concourse

Guaranteed Rate Field can be reached by using the CTA's "L" Rapid Transit system. The stadium's station stops are Sox–35th for the Red Line and 35-Bronzeville-IIT for the Green Line. The Red Line is also used by Cubs fans to reach Wrigley Field (Addison Station) on the North side of Chicago. (When the White Sox take on the Cubs every year, usually in June, many fans will use the Red-Line to get to the games. The series is dubbed the Cross-Town Classic or the Windy City Showdown.)

A new Metra station (35th Street), which helps fans with more accessibility, opened on the Rock Island line in 2011. It is also accessible by CTA bus route #35 (31st/35th Street) and the suburban Pace Guaranteed Rate Field Express shuttle service.

Guaranteed Rate is just west of the I-90/94 Dan Ryan Expressway. The "Dan Ryan" was under construction in 2006–2007 in hopes of relieving traffic congestion.

The ballpark has eight main parking lots.

The ballpark has seven main entrances:

  • Gate 1 is located on the South side of the park in right field
  • Gate 2 is located on the Southwest side of the park down the right field
  • Gate 3 is located on the West side of the park on the 1st
  • Gate 4 is on the Northwest side of the park behind home
  • Gate 5 is located on the North side of the park on the 3rd base
  • Gate 6 is located on the Northeast side of the park down the left field
  • Gate 7 is located on the East side of the park in left field.

The main level is accessible only to fans who have a ticket to a seat in the lower level.[23]

Notable games/events

1990s

  • April 18, 1991: The inaugural game of the ballpark. The White Sox were defeated by the Detroit Tigers 16–0. Attendance: 42,191
  • April 22, 1991: Frank Thomas hits the first White Sox home run in new Comiskey Park as the Sox defeat the Baltimore Orioles, 8–7, in the first night contest in the new ballpark. Attendance: (30,480)
  • April 9, 1993: Bo Jackson homers with his first swing of the bat in the club's home opener against the New York Yankees as he becomes the first Major Leaguer in history to play with an artificial hip. The White Sox would lose though 11–6. Attendance: (42,775)
  • June 22, 1993: Carlton Fisk catches his 2,226th game against the Texas Rangers, breaking Bob Boone's record for games caught in a career. The White Sox won 3–2. Attendance: (36,757)
  • September 27, 1993: The Sox clinched their second AL West title and first in 10 years by defeating the Seattle Mariners, 4–2. Bo Jackson's three-run home run in the sixth inning of this game is one of the more enduring images in the ballpark's history. Attendance: (42,116)
  • October 5, 1993: New Comiskey hosted its first ever playoff game, game 1 of the 1993 ALCS. The Sox lost to the Toronto Blue Jays, 7–3. The park also played host to games 2 and 6 of the series, which the Sox lost, four games to two. Attendance: (46,246)
  • May 26, 1996: White Sox hit four Home Runs in one inning including 3 in a row by Frank Thomas, Harold Baines, and Robin Ventura off Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Mike Potts. Then Chad Kreuter hit one off Ramon Garcia. Attendance: (21,151)
  • September 14, 1997: Carlton Fisk's number 72 was retired by the White Sox as the Sox played the Cleveland Indians. The Sox would lose 8–3. Attendance: (32,485)
  • May 18, 1998: Mike Blowers of the Oakland Athletics completes the first cycle at new Comiskey Park. The Athletics defeated the White Sox 14–0. Attendance: (14,387)
  • July 6, 1999: Chris Singleton hit the first White Sox cycle at new Comisky Park against the Kansas City Royals. Attendance: (11,251).

2000s

  • April 22, 2000: The White Sox and the Detroit Tigers end up in two brawls in the game. One lasts for almost 30 minutes and sees eight players from both sides are ejected along with Sox manager Jerry Manuel. A record number of players would be fined and subsequently suspended. One of the more lingering memories is Sox relief pitcher Keith Foulke suffering a gash on his face courtesy of a sucker punch from the side. The Sox win the game 14–6 and use it as a rallying point for the rest of the season. Attendance: (16,410)
  • April 27, 2000: White Sox Shortstop José Valentín hits for the cycle becoming the 5th White Sox player to do so. Attendance (13,225).
  • June 19, 2000: The White Sox make baseball history when they begin selling vegetarian hot dogs during games. The Sox play the Cleveland Indians and defeated them 6–1. Attendance: (43,062)
  • October 3, 2000: Comiskey Park hosted its first playoff game since 1993 hosting Game 1 of the 2000 ALDS against the Seattle Mariners. The White Sox took a 4–3 lead into the 7th before Mike Cameron tied the game with an RBI single. The game was sent to extra innings tied at 4. In the 10th, the Mariners hit back-to-back Home Runs by Edgar Martínez and John Olerud off of Keith Foulke which won the game for the Mariners 7–4. Attendance: (45,290)
  • October 4, 2000: Comiskey Park hosted Game 2 of the ALDS. The Mariners won the game 5-2 and eventually won the series in Game 3
  • June 8, 2001: Carlos Lee hit a walk-off Grand Slam against the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the 10th inning off of Courtney Duncan to win the game 7–3. Attendance: (45,396)
  • May 2, 2002: Mike Cameron of the Seattle Mariners, a former White Sox player, blasts four solo home runs to tie a Major League record to help the Mariners win 15–4. The Mariners score 10 runs in the first inning and all of Cameron's home runs are hit within the first six innings. Cameron flies out to the warning track in the ninth, just missing the record-breaking number of homers in a game. Attendance: (12,891)
  • June 28, 2002: The White Sox were trailing 8–0 to the Chicago Cubs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The Sox rallied off 13 unanswered runs including two Home Runs hit by Paul Konerko and won the game 13–9. Attendance: (46,027)
  • September 13, 2002: The Rolling Stones play the first concert in stadium history while on their Licks Tour.
  • September 19, 2002: Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa is attacked on the field by two fans, William Ligue Jr. and son, during a game against the White Sox. The father and son, highly intoxicated, run onto the field unprovoked, tackled Gamboa, and throw several punches before being restrained by players and security. Ligue Jr. was later found to have been possessing a knife. Gamboa suffered permanent hearing loss as a result of the attack. The Royals defeated the White Sox 2–1. Attendance: (10,354)[24]
  • July 15, 2003: The park hosts the 74th All-Star Game, the first one having been played at Comiskey Park in 1933. Esteban Loaiza of the White Sox is the American League starting pitcher. Jim Edmonds gets the game's first hit, a first-inning single. Carlos Delgado drives in the first run with a third-inning single off the NL's Randy Wolf. After a five-run fifth by the National League stars, the AL scores three in the eighth against Éric Gagné. A 1-2-3 ninth pitched by Keith Foulke seals a 7-6 AL victory over the NL. White Sox stars in the game include Loaiza, Magglio Ordóñez and Carl Everett. Attendance: (47,609)
  • July 25, 2003: Frank Thomas hits his 400th career home run against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to help the Sox win 7–2. Attendance: (22,617)
The National Anthem before Game 1 of the 2005 World Series
  • September 13–14, 2004: U.S. Cellular Field hosts two games between the Florida Marlins and the Montreal Expos, due to Hurricane Ivan in Florida. The Marlins sweep by scores of 6–3 and 8–6. The series would return to Florida to finish the last three games, with the Expos taking two. Game 1 attendance: (4,003), Game 2 attendance: (5,457)
  • April 16, 2005: Pitcher Mark Buehrle finishes a game against the Seattle Mariners in only 1 hour and 39 minutes, giving up one run and three hits (all to Ichiro Suzuki), and backed by two White Sox runs, both homers by Paul Konerko. In the game, he throws just 106 pitches. Subtracting the time spent between innings, the game took only 63½ minutes to play. Attendance: (25,931)
  • August 7, 2005: A life-sized bronze statue of catcher Carlton Fisk is unveiled on the center-field concourse behind section 164. The White Sox defeat the Seattle Mariners 3–1. Attendance: (35,706)
  • August 21, 2005: White Sox hit three Home Runs in a row off of New York Yankees pitcher Randy Johnson in the fourth inning. The homers came off of Tadahito Iguchi, Aaron Rowand, and Paul Konerko. Attendance:(39,480)
  • October 4, 2005: U.S. Cellular Field hosted Game 1 of the 2005 ALDS against the defending World Series champions Boston Red Sox. The White Sox hit 5 Home Runs with Homers by A. J. Pierzynski (with A.J. hitting 2), Paul Konerko, Juan Uribe, and Scott Podsednik to carry the White Sox with an easy 14–2 win in Game 1. Attendance: (40,717)
  • October 5, 2005: U.S. Cellular Field hosted Game 2 of the 2005 ALDS. The Red Sox took a 4–0 lead by the 5th inning. In the bottom of the 5th, the White Sox began to cut down the deficit to 4-2 off of Red Sox pitcher David Wells. With one out and Joe Crede on first base, Juan Uribe hit a ground ball up the middle but Red Sox second basemen Tony Graffanino botched on what could've been an inning-ending double play by letting the ball go between his legs sending Crede to third. Scott Podsednik popped out in foul territory making it 2 outs. Then, Tadahito Iguchi hit a go-ahead three-run Home Run off of Wells giving the White Sox a 5–4 win to give them a 2–0 series lead. The Sox would win Game 3 at Fenway Park to advance to the ALCS. Attendance: (40,799).
  • October 11, 2005: Having swept the ALDS, the White Sox host Game 1 of the 2005 American League Championship Series. No runs are scored beyond the fourth inning as the Anaheim Angels take the series opener 3–2. It will be the last and only Sox loss of the entire 2005 postseason. Attendance: (40,659)
  • October 12, 2005: After a ceremonial first pitch thrown by White Sox fan U.S. Senator Barack Obama, a tight game is won 2-1 by the Sox in the ninth inning on a controversial call permitting A.J. Pierzynski to take first base following a strikeout and Joe Crede's single driving home the game-winning run. Attendance: (41,013)
  • October 22, 2005: The first ever World Series game in this stadium. Luis Aparicio throws the ceremonial first pitch, then is joined by 1959 World Series teammates Jim Landis, J. C. Martin, Billy Pierce and Bob Shaw on the field. Josh Groban sings the national anthem. Craig Biggio of the Houston Astros is the game's first batter. Jermaine Dye's first-inning home run off Roger Clemens provides the game's first hit and run. The White Sox get their first World Series game victory since 1959, defeating the Houston Astros 5–3. Attendance: (41,206)
  • October 23, 2005: U.S. Cellular Field hosted Game 2 of the World Series. The Astros took a 4–2 lead by the 7th inning. In the bottom of the 7th, the White Sox loaded the bases off of Dan Wheeler with a controversial hit by pitch on Jermaine Dye. Then, Paul Konerko hit a grand slam against off of Chad Qualls to take the lead 6–4 for the Sox. In the top of the 9th, José Vizcaíno tied the game with a pinch-hit two-run RBI single off of Bobby Jenks. In the bottom of the 9th, Scott Podsednik hit a walk-off solo home run off of Brad Lidge for the Sox to win 7–6. The White Sox would win the next two games in Houston to win their first World Series title since 1917. Attendance: (41,432)
  • October 28, 2005: The team's victory parade begins at U.S. Cellular Field, players boarding double-decker buses that travel north to downtown Chicago. A throng estimated at more than 200,000 celebrates the first White Sox championship since 1917.
  • April 2, 2006: The Sox open the 2006 season with the unveiling of their 2005 World Series Championship banner on the left-center light tower. Three other banners are placed on the other light towers: One for the 1906 and 1917 World Series championships by the Sox on the far left tower. The one on the right-center tower is for all the team's American League Championships. The one on the far right is for all the division championships. The Sox defeat the Cleveland Indians 10–4. Attendance: (38,802)
  • April 4, 2006: The 2005 White Sox receive their championship rings on ring day. The Sox are defeated by the Indians 8–2. Attendance: (37,591)
  • May 20, 2006: In the second inning, Brian Anderson of the Sox hits a sacrifice fly, attempting to score catcher A. J. Pierzynski. Pierzynski collides with Cub catcher Michael Barrett as Barrett attempts to tag Pierzynski out, knocking Barrett over and jarring the ball loose. After slapping home plate in celebration, Pierzynski begins to walk away, but Barrett blocks his path and punches him in the jaw. A bench-clearing brawl ensues, with Pierzynski, Barrett, Anderson and Cubs first baseman John Mabry ejected.[25] Umpires debated for 15 minutes over who would be ejected. When play finally resumed, outfielder Scott Podsednik promptly got on base, loading the bases, and second baseman Tadahito Iguchi cleared them with a grand slam. The Sox won the game, 7–0. Attendance: (39,387)
  • June 20, 2006: The White Sox score 11 runs in one inning against the St. Louis Cardinals and defeated them 20–6. Attendance: (39,463)
  • June 25, 2006: The Sox face the Houston Astros in a rematch of the 2005 World Series. With the score at 9–2 in favor of the Astros in the bottom of the eighth inning, Tadahito Iguchi hits a three-run homer to cut the Astros lead to four runs. In the ninth, with the bases loaded, Iguchi hits a grand slam to tie the game at 9. The Sox end up losing 10–9 in extra innings. Attendance: (38,516)
  • April 18, 2007: Mark Buehrle throws a no-hitter against the Texas Rangers. The Sox win 6–0 with a grand slam from Jermaine Dye and a pair of solo homers from Jim Thome. It is the first no-hitter at U.S. Cellular Field. Attendance: (25,390)
  • September 16, 2007: Jim Thome's 500th career home run against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim is as a walk-off as the Sox defeat the Angels 9–7. Attendance: (29,010)
The 2008 AL Central tiebreaker game (better known as the "blackout game") as the Sox shutout the Twins 1–0
  • April 8, 2008: The Illinois Sports Facilities Authority unveil the first environmentally friendly permeable paving parking lot to be used by a Major League sports facility in parking lot L.
  • April 11, 2008: The White Sox dedicate their new brick plaza to the 2005 World Series Champions and their fans. The Sox are defeated by the Detroit Tigers 5–2. Attendance: (26,094)
  • May 7, 2008: Minnesota Twins outfielder Carlos Gómez hits for the cycle becoming the 8th player in Twins history to hit for the cycle. Attendance (21,092).
  • May 22, 2008: Welcome back Carlton Fisk Night: Fisk returns to the White Sox organization and becomes a team ambassador. Ex-Sox players Bo Jackson and Ron Kittle join in the pre-game ceremonies and three former players enter the park in center field on motorcycles. Other teammates of Fisk are honored and announced by Ed Farmer such as Harold Baines, Joey Cora and Ozzie Guillén. Former Sox general manager Roland Hemond (1970–1985) is also in the special ceremony. Hemond brought Fisk into the organization in 1981 after Fisk played 11 years with the Boston Red Sox (1969, 1971–1980). The Sox defeat the Cleveland Indians 3–1. Attendance: (28,040)
  • July 20, 2008: A life-sized bronze statue of Harold Baines is unveiled on the center-field concourse behind section 105. The Sox are defeated by the Kansas City Royals 8–7 and Jim Thome of the Sox collects his 2,000th career hit. Attendance: (32,269)
  • August 5, 2008: Ken Griffey Jr. makes his White Sox home debut against the Detroit Tigers. Griffey goes 1 for 6 and strikes out 3 times. In the bottom of the 14th inning, Nick Swisher hits a three-run walk-off home run to help the Sox win 10–8. Attendance: (35,371)
  • August 14, 2008: The White Sox become just the sixth team to hit four consecutive home runs in a game, accomplishing the feat against the Royals. In the bottom of the 6th inning with two outs, Jim Thome hits a three-run homer, followed by solo home runs from Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramírez, and Juan Uribe to take a 9–2 lead to an eventual win over the Royals. Carlos Quentin is hit by a pitch for the sixth game in a row. Attendance: (32,788).
  • September 29, 2008: Alexei Ramírez hit his fourth grand slam of the season setting a new MLB record for rookies in the bottom of the 6th off of Detroit Tigers pitcher Gary Glover to give the White Sox an 6–2 lead. The White Sox won the game 8–2 to clinch a tie for a game 163 against the Minnesota Twins. Attendance: (35,923)
  • September 30, 2008: The Sox defeat the Minnesota Twins 1–0 in a one-game playoff to determine the 2008 American League Central Division Champion. John Danks pitches an eight-inning, two-hit shutout; the lone run comes on a Jim Thome home run to center field that falls in front of the fan deck. Brian Anderson clinches the title with a diving catch in right-center to end the game. This game is known as the "Black Out Game" due to the fact that fans were asked to wear all black clothing. Attendance: (40,354)
  • October 5, 2008: U.S. Cellular Field hosted Game 3 of the 2008 ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays, who leads the Series 2–0. White Sox pitcher John Danks only allowed 3 runs and struck out 7 batters in 6.2 innings while the White Sox bullpen held Tampa scoreless by striking out 3 as the White Sox won the game 5–3 to force a Game 4. Attendance (40,142)
  • October 6, 2008: U.S. Cellular Field hosted Game 4 of the 2008 ALDS against the Rays. The Rays dominated and won the game 6–2 to advance to the ALCS. Attendance: (40,454)
Teammates celebrate Buehrle's perfect game on July 23, 2009
  • January 20, 2009: The White Sox display a banner outside of Gate 6 to honor White Sox fan Barack Obama's presidential inauguration.
  • July 7, 2009: Paul Konerko of the White Sox hits three home runs against the Cleveland Indians. The first home run comes in the second inning off Jeremy Sowers, the second is a grand slam in the sixth off Chris Perez, and the third is in the seventh inning off Winston Abreu. The Sox defeat the Indians 10–6. Attendance: (23,758)
  • July 23, 2009: The first perfect game and second no-hitter at U.S. Cellular Field. Mark Buehrle strikes out six batters and records 11 ground ball outs to get a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays. It is the second no-hitter of Buehrle's career, the last occurring on April 18, 2007, against the Texas Rangers. He is the first player since Hideo Nomo to throw multiple no-hitters, and the first to throw a perfect game since Randy Johnson did it May 18, 2004 against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field. In a remarkable coincidence, Buehrle's first no-hitter was 2 hours and 3 minutes and Buehrle's second was just as long. Another coincidence was home plate umpire (#56, same as Buehrle's) Eric Cooper who called both Buehrle's no-hitters. Yet another coincidence is that Ramón Castro, who caught for Buehrle, wears the No. 27 on his jersey, the number of consecutive outs needed for a perfect game. It was also Cooper's third no-hitter called with his first one with Hideo Nomo on April 4, 2001. The game also became notable when in the top of the 9th, DeWayne Wise made a spectacular Home Run robbery catch in left-center after the ball was hit by Rays batter Gabe Kapler. Attendance: (28,036)
  • July 30, 2009: Illinois Governor Pat Quinn presents Mark Buehrle with a proclamation prior to a White Sox-Yankees game, declaring July 30 as "Mark Buehrle Day" in the state of Illinois. The day is to honor Buehrle for his perfect game and his most consecutive retired batters. The White Sox defeat the Yankees 3–2. Attendance: (31,305)
  • August 2, 2009: New York Yankees outfielder Melky Cabrera hits for the cycle, becoming the first Yankee to do so since Tony Fernandez in 1995. Cabrera's feat helps defeat the White Sox 8–5. Attendance: (36,325)

2010s

  • June 25, 2010: Carlos Zambrano of the Chicago Cubs has a meltdown against the White Sox, giving up four runs in the first inning. He proceeds to mount a furious tirade in the Cubs' dugout. Cameras showed Zambrano appearing to yell at Derrek Lee, whom the pitcher apparently blamed for failing to field a sharply hit ball off the bat of Juan Pierre, resulting in a leadoff double. The Cubs' coaching staff has to separate the two players and manager Lou Piniella opts not to send Zambrano back to the mound in the second inning. Cubs GM Jim Hendry suspends Zambrano indefinitely for his behavior in the game. The Sox win the game 6–0. Attendance: (39,364)
  • July 8, 2010: John Danks of the White Sox records his first career shutout against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim taking a no-hitter to the 7th inning. Danks gives up two hits while striking out seven with no walks. The Sox only score one run on a Paul Konerko sacrifice fly. The game is completed in 1 hour and 50 minutes. Attendance: (27,734)
  • July 11, 2010: Andruw Jones of the White Sox hits his 400th career home run in a 15–5 win over the Kansas City Royals. Attendance: (29,040)
  • August 27, 2010: The White Sox host Blackhawks night against the New York Yankees as championship trophies from the 1985 Bears, the '90s Bulls, the 2009–10 Blackhawks and the White Sox's own 2005 hardware, are all on display during a "Gathering of Champions" ceremony. Chicago is the first city to win all four major sports championships since 1985. Super Bowl XX MVP Richard Dent represents the Bears, Mark Buehrle is there for the White Sox and Coach Joel Quenneville is on hand for the Blackhawks. Scottie Pippen was supposed to be the Bulls’ representative, but he was late leaving those duties to chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. Pippen was later spotted on the suite level just as the game was starting. The Sox defeat the Yankees 9–4. Attendance: (38,596) This event also brought together the managers/head coaches of teams that won championships against teams from Philadelphia during their previous 12 months. Yankees Manager Joe Girardi, whose Yankees won their 27th championship against the Phillies the previous November and Quenneville, whose Blackhawks won their first championship since 1961 in Philadelphia against the Flyers.
  • August 29, 2010: The White Sox host Frank Thomas Day at the ballpark against the New York Yankees. Thomas's jersey is retired, along with his image posted on the legends' wall in left-center field next to Billy Pierce on his left and Carlton Fisk on his right, and also right under "The Catch" logo. Yankees defeat the Sox 2–1. Attendance: (39,433)
  • September 18, 2010: 10,000 Nancy Faust bobblehead dolls are presented to fans by the White Sox with a ceremony held by the team in honor of her retirement as the team's organist after 40 years. Faust throws the ceremonial first pitch. The Sox lose to the Detroit Tigers 6–3. Attendance: (27,828)
  • May 3, 2011: Francisco Liriano of the Minnesota Twins throws a no-hitter against the White Sox for a 1–0 shutout with a Jason Kubel home run. Liriano enters the game with a 9.00+ ERA on the season and records his first career complete game with six walks and two strikeouts to lower his season ERA to 6.61. This is the first no-hitter for a visiting team at U.S. Cellular Field. Attendance: (20,901)
  • July 31, 2011: The White Sox unveil a replica statue of Frank Thomas on the outfield concourse behind section 160. The White Sox lose to the Boston Red Sox 5–3. Attendance: (28,278)
  • July 3, 2012: The White Sox score 19 runs against the two-time defending AL champion Texas Rangers. This is the most runs the White Sox have scored at the Cell since June 20, 2006 against the St. Louis Cardinals. First-time All-Star Chris Sale notches his 10th win of the season. The final score is 19–2. Attendance: (30,183)
  • April 25, 2014: José Abreu hit a walk-off Grand Slam against the Tampa Bay Rays off of pitcher Grant Balfour to win the game 9–6. Abreu's Home Run also set a new MLB rookie record for the most Home Runs in the month of April with 9 Home Runs in the month of April. Attendance: (17,210)
  • August 16, 2014: In a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, former White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle made his first start at U.S. Cellular Field since September 27, 2011. When the Blue Jays took the field, White Sox fans gave Buehrle a standing ovation when he took to the mound. Buehrle went 5.1 innings giving up 7 hits, 3 runs, and struck out 3 batters. After Buehrle was taken out of the game, White Sox fans gave him one last standing ovation before he left to the dugout. Blue Jays beat the White Sox 6–3. Attendance: (29,420)
  • September 27, 2014: Paul Konerko is honored before the game for his retirement from baseball. A statue of him is unveiled on the left-field concourse next to Frank Thomas' Statue. His #14 will be retired the following year. Konerko was the last member of the 2005 Champion White Sox left on the team at the time of his retirement. The Sox defeat the Kansas City Royals 5–4. Attendance: (38,160)
  • September 28, 2014: Paul Konerko plays his final game in Major League Baseball. He was taken out of the game before the 6th inning started being replaced by Andy Wilkins. White Sox fans gave Konerko a final standing ovation for the long time White Sox first basemen and Konerko gave a tip of the cap back to the fans. White Sox would lose to the Kansas City Royals 6–4. Attendance: (32,266).
  • May 23, 2015: Paul Konerko's number 14 is retired by the White Sox with a pregame ceremony. He became the 10th player to have his number retired by the White Sox. The White Sox were defeated by the Minnesota Twins 4–3. Attendance: (38,714)
  • June 24, 2017: Mark Buehrle's number 56 is retired by the White Sox with a pregame ceremony. Buehrle becomes the 11th player in White Sox history to have a retired number. The White Sox were defeated by the Oakland Athletics 10–2. Attendance: (38,618)
  • September 9, 2017: White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu hits for the cycle becoming the 6th White Sox player to hit for the cycle and the first since Jose Valentine in 2000. Attendance: (17,688).
  • September 2, 2018: White Sox paid tribute to their long time TV broadcaster Ken Harrelson with a special day called "Ken Harrelson Day." White Sox beat the Boston Red Sox 8–0. Attendance: (30,475).
  • September 23, 2018: Long time White Sox announcer Ken Harrelson called his final baseball game. White Sox lost to the Chicago Cubs 6–1. After the game, White Sox and Cubs fans along with members of the White Sox and Cubs gave Hawk a final standing ovation and a tip of the cap to the long time White Sox broadcaster. Attendance: (39,449)
  • April 5, 2019: The White Sox had their opening day game against the Seattle Mariners for 2019 which should go down as one of the greatest Opening Day games in White Sox history. The White Sox took a 6–1 lead by the 3rd inning. The Mariners rallied off 5 unanswered runs with Home Runs by Daniel Vogelbach in the 4th and Ryon Healy in the 6th both off of Reynaldo López to tie the game. Then Mitch Haniger hit a go-ahead Two-Run Home Run off of Jace Fry to give the Mariners an 8–6 lead. In the bottom of the 7th, the White Sox had the bases loaded with no outs then Welington Castillo got hit by Mariners pitcher Cory Gearrin to make it 8–7. Then, Yoán Moncada hit a go-ahead two-run single off of Zac Rosscup to give the White Sox 9–8 lead. Tim Anderson sealed the win with a Home Run in the 8th to give the White Sox a 10–8 win. Attendance: (32,723).
  • April 17, 2019: Tim Anderson hit a Home Run off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Brad Keller then threw his bat towards his own dugout and screamed at his own dugout as if he was having fun. In Anderson's next at bat on the first pitch, Keller hit him. This also caused the benches the clear out. After everything got settled, the umpires ejected both Keller and Anderson. Attendance: (14,358)
  • April 26, 2019: In a game against the Detroit Tigers, the White Sox were down 10-4 by the bottom of the 6th inning. The Sox closed the gap to 10-9 after a 5 run 6th and then Jose Abreu hit a go ahead three-run Home Run in the 7th inning off of Tigers pitcher Reed Garrett to give the White Sox a 12–10 lead, or so they thought. The umpires apparently called Abreu out due to Abreu passing Tim Anderson at first base. Instead of it being a Home Run, it was just a 2 run RBI single with Abreu called out. The Tigers eventually tied the game in the 8th with Ronny Rodríguez hitting a Home Run off of Kelvin Herrera. In the bottom of the 9th, Tim Anderson redeemed himself after his baserunning mistake with a walk-off Homer off of Joe Jiménez to win the game 12–11. Attendance (18,016).

2020s

  • August 16, 2020: White Sox hit four-consecutive Home Runs for the second time in franchise history against the St. Louis Cardinals. The batters were Yoán Moncada, Yasmani Grandal, José Abreu, and Eloy Jiménez off of pitcher Roel Ramírez who was making his Major League debut that day. Attendance: No In-Person Attendance due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
  • August 25, 2020: Lucas Giolito records his first career no-hitter against the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 4–0 win at Guaranteed Rate Field. Attendance: No In-Person Attendance due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
  • April 14, 2021: Carlos Rodón records his first career no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians for an 8–0 win at Guaranteed Rate Field. Rodón had a perfect game into the 9th inning and retired the first batter he faced in Josh Naylor after an incredible stretch play at first base by José Abreu to beat Naylor's head first slide attempt to get the first out of the inning. After retiring the first 25 batters he faced and on the next batter, Rodón hit Indians catcher Roberto Pérez in the right toe ending Rodón's chances of a perfect game. Rodón would strike out the next batter he faced in Yu Chang and grounded out Jordan Luplow to Yoán Moncada at third base to complete the no-hitter. Attendance: (7,148) Limited in–person attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • May 25, 2021: Long time Major League Baseball umpire Joe West umpired his 5,376th game passing Bill Klem for most games ever umpired. Attendance: (16,380) Limited in–person attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • June 6, 2021: White Sox manager Tony La Russa wins his 2,764th game as manager passing John McGraw for second on the all time managerial wins list in the White Sox' 3–0 over the Tigers. Attendance: (20,068) Limited in–person attendance due to COVID-19 pandemic.
  • June 25, 2021: Re-opening night Vs Seattle Mariners. First game allowed to have full capacity since the COVID-19 pandemic. The White Sox would lose 9–3. Attendance: (32,189)
  • July 31, 2021: Seby Zavala made MLB history by being the first player in the Modern Era to hit his first three career Home Runs in the same game vs. the Cleveland Indians. Attendance: (35,866)
  • August 27, 2021: The White Sox and Cubs scored a combined 30 runs in the entire game which is the most runs scored by both teams in their rivalry history. White Sox starter Dallas Keuchel allowed 6 runs in the first inning including a three-run home run to Patrick Wisdom and the Cubs had a 6–0 lead. In the bottom of the first, José Abreu drove in an RBI single off of Cubs starter Keegan Thompson to make it 6–1. After allowing a lead-off single to Frank Schwindel, Keuchel was taken out of the game and replaced by Reynaldo López. López would strike out 2 and allow no hits in that inning. In the bottom of the third, the Sox put up a 8 run inning. It started when José Abreu drove in his second RBI with an RBI double to make it 6–2. Yoán Moncada then hit an RBI single to make it 6–3. Thompson was replaced by Adrian Sampson after allowing the Moncada RBI single. But Sampson would allow a game-tying three-run home run to Yasmani Grandal to tie it at 6. But the inning was not over. On a Luis Robert pop up, Cubs shortstop Andrew Romine dropped the ball trying to catch it which would score Andrew Vaughn to give the White Sox a 7–6 lead. Then Eloy Jiménez hit a two-run RBI single to make it 9–6. In the bottom of the fifth, the White Sox extended their lead with an RBI single by Robert, an RBI groundout by Moncada, and a two-run RBI double by Grandal all off of Michael Rucker to make it 13–6. López went 5 innings giving up no hits and striking out 7 batters. In the top of the 7th, the Cubs scored their first run since the first inning with a home run by Michael Hermosillo off of Mike Wright to make it 13–7. In the bottom, Andrew Vaughan scored an RBI single off of Ryan Meisinger to make it 14–7. In the top of the 8th, the Cubs scored three with an RBI double by Ian Happ and a two-run RBI double by Jason Heyward all off of Garrett Crochet to make it 14–10. In the bottom, Yasmani Grandal hit a three-run home run, his second of the game, off of Manuel Rodríguez and made it 17–10. This gave Grandal 8 RBI's. Craig Kimbrel, who got traded by the Cubs to the White Sox the month before, came in to close the game for the White Sox. But Kimbrel gave up a solo homer to Patrick Wisdom, his second, and a two-run homer to Ian Happ before striking out the last batter to seal the White Sox win with the final score being 17–13. Attendance: (37,892).
  • October 10, 2021: Guaranteed Rate Field hosted its first playoff game since 2008 with the White Sox facing the Houston Astros in the ALDS with the Sox trailing 2 games to none. Dylan Cease made his first career postseason start. Houston took a 5–1 lead by the third inning as Cease got pulled after only pitching 1.2 innings while giving up 3 runs and striking out only 2 Houston batters. The White Sox took the lead with a two-run Homer by Yasmani Grandal and a go-ahead three-run Homer by Leury García to make it 6–5. The Astros eventually tied it in the 4th with Alex Bregman hitting an RBI single off of Michael Kopech. The Sox took the lead back with a 3 run 4th inning. The White Sox pitching staff set a franchise postseason record with 16 strikeouts with having the bullpen only allowing 3 runs while striking out 14 Houston batters in 8.1 innings with Kopech striking out 5 in 2.1 innings, Ryan Tepera striking out 3 in 2 innings, Aaron Bummer striking out 4 in 1.2 innings, and Liam Hendriks striking out 2 to close out the game as the Sox won the game 12–6 to force a Game 4. Attendance: (40,288).
  • October 12, 2021: Guaranteed Rate Field hosted game 4 of the ALDS between the White Sox and Astros. Carlos Rodón was making his first postseason start and pitched a scoreless first. In the bottom of the second, Gavin Sheets hit a home run to give the White Sox a 1–0 lead. It was apparently the only run the White Sox would score as the Astros won 10-1 and advanced to the ALCS. Attendance: (40,170).
  • May 9, 2022: Cleveland Guardians' Josh Naylor made MLB history becoming the first player to hit two three-run home runs or grand slams in the ninth inning or later of the same game and the first player to have at least eight RBI in the eighth inning or later since RBI became an official statistic in 1920. Naylor's first RBI was an RBI double in the top of the 8th to make it 5–2 White Sox. A three-run home run by A. J. Pollock in the bottom of the 8th made it 8–2. Down 8–2 in the top of the 9th, Andrés Giménez hit a lead-off home run off of Tanner Banks which was followed by an error made by White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada which made it 8–4 with no outs. With 2 on and 2 outs, Banks was replaced by White Sox's original closer Liam Hendriks. Hendriks allowed a single to Owen Miller which loaded the bases and on the first pitch, Naylor hit a game-tying grand slam off of Hendriks to tie it 8–8 and gave Naylor 5 RBI's. After both teams scored a run in the 10th to keep the game tied at 9–9, the Guardians had 2 on with 2 outs in the top of the 11th with Naylor up to bat. On the second pitch from Ryan Burr, Naylor hit a go-ahead three-run home run which would give the Guardians the win 12–9 and gave Naylor 8 RBI's. Attendance: (17,168).

White Sox record at home

Guaranteed Rate Field before a game

Notes: 1994 season incomplete due to Players Strike. Only 113 games played.
Only 144 games played in 1995.
Only 161 games played in 1997, 1999 & 2019.
163 games played in 2008 due to AL Central division tie-breaker game.

Only 60 games played in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Non-baseball events

Concerts

Date Artist Opening act(s) Tour / Concert name Attendance Revenue Notes
September 13, 2002The Rolling StonesThe PretendersLicks Tour
August 13, 2003Bruce Springsteen and the E Street BandThe Rising Tour39,439$2,970,543
September 24, 2016Chance the RapperMagnificent Coloring Day Festival47,754

Football

Date Event name Home Team Visiting Team Winning team/Score Attendance Notes
November 9, 2016Huskie Chi–Town ShowdownNorthern Illinois HuskiesToledo RocketsToledo, 31–2410,180First football game played at Guaranteed Rate Field

In film and other media

Guaranteed Rate Field has appeared in films such as Rookie of the Year (1993), Major League II (1994), Little Big League (1994), My Best Friend's Wedding (1997), and The Ladies Man (2000). In Rookie of the Year, the stadium played the role of Dodger Stadium, and in Little Big League, it played the role of all opposing ballparks except for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park. Commercials for the PGA Tour, Nike, Reebok, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America have been filmed at the park.

See also

  • Gene Honda – Public address announcer for the White Sox, DePaul Basketball, Chicago Blackhawks, Illinois Football, and the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship Final Four.
  • Roger Bossard – Head groundskeeper for the White Sox. (1983–present)
  • Nancy Faust – Long-time stadium organist for the White Sox. (1970–2010)
  • Southpaw – White Sox mascot.
  • Camelback Ranch – The spring training home of the White Sox shared with the Los Angeles Dodgers. (2009–present)

Notes

  • Nathaniel Whalen, "Marked seats meaningful to Sox stars", Post Tribune, March 30, 2007

References

  1. Hopkins, Jared S. (May 22, 2016). "Tax Dollars Still Paying off Renovations on White Sox Stadium". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  2. "Attendance Records" (PDF). 2016 Chicago White Sox Media Guide. Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L.P. February 26, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016. U.S. Cellular Field capacity was 44,321 from 1991-2000, 47,522 in 2001, 47,098 in 2002-03 and 40,615 since 2004.
  3. "Guaranteed Rate Field". Ballparksofbaseball.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  4. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  5. "IFG - US Cellular Field". www.ifgroup.cc. Archived from the original on 11 October 2016. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  6. "Opus North Promotes Jacobson". Chicago Tribune. September 24, 1989. Retrieved April 21, 2012.
  7. "U.S. Cellular Field". ballparks.com. Retrieved 10 December 2018.
  8. Padilla, Doug (April 26, 2013). "The Cell not in line for name change". ESPN. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  9. Merkin, Scott (August 24, 2016). "U.S. Cellular to become Guaranteed Rate Field". Chicago White Sox. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  10. Ecker, Danny (August 24, 2016). "White Sox home gets a new name: Guaranteed Rate Field". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
  11. "Chicago White Sox and Gold Coast Tickets Reach Multi-Year Sponsorship Agreement". Chicago White Sox. March 30, 2011.
  12. "TBD's outdoor beer garden added to Gate 5 entrance". Major League Baseball (Press release). July 22, 2010.
  13. Van Dyck, Dave (August 29, 2010). "Having His No. 35 Retired Emotionally Drains Thomas". Chicago Tribune.
  14. "Bacardi At The Park added to Gate 5". Chicago White Sox (Press release). March 29, 2011.
  15. "White Sox Open New Bar And Restaurant". CBS Chicago. March 29, 2011.
  16. "Chicago Sports Depot". Chicago White Sox.
  17. "White Sox to install 3 new video boards for 2016 season". Chicago Tribune. October 2, 2015.
  18. Thompson, Phil (March 27, 2018). "What's new at Sox Park: Renovated clubhouse, more netting and the 'South Side Horseshoe'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  19. Price, Satchel (January 28, 2019). "White Sox to add 'The Goose Island' section to Guaranteed Rate Field bleachers". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  20. Spedden, Zach (June 19, 2019). "Guaranteed Rate Field Netting Extending to Foul Poles". Ballpark Digest. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  21. "Guaranteed Rate Field debuts flickering stadium lights". April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  22. "Retired Uniform Numbers in the American League". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2008-09-26.
  23. "Guaranteed Rate Field Ballpark Guide: Upper Concourse Policy".
  24. "Sports Illustrated". Archived from the original on 2012-11-03. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  25. "Cubs' Barrett slugs Pierzynski, leads to melee". ESPN. May 20, 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2008.
Events and tenants
Preceded by
Comiskey Park
Home of the
Chicago White Sox

1991 – present
Succeeded by
Current
Preceded by
Miller Park
Host of the
MLB All-Star Game

2003
Succeeded by
Preceded by Host of the
Civil Rights Game

2013
Succeeded by
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